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TEAM NEWS | Five changes for trip to Cornish Pirates
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to make it back-to-back Championship victories when they travel to Cornish Pirates on Saturday (KO 2:30pm).
Tickets for the longest mainland trip can be purchased direct from our hosts here. Alternatively, Pirates will also be live streaming the match – click here for that option.
Director of Rugby, Rayer has faced Pirates more than any other club since taking the helm at Goldington Road, contesting 44 matches meaning both sides will know plenty about the other ahead of Saturday’s fixture.
Both sides also contested four extremely competitive fixtures in league and cup last year – at an average of 59 points a fixture – so it’s set to be another cracker down at The Mennaye.
As Blues look for a first victory on the Cornish coast since October 2018, Rayer makes five changes to the side which edged an 85-point thriller against London Scottish last weekend at Goldington Road.
There are two changes in the backs division as after a hectic summer on the international scene for Hong Kong and then to begin this 2022/23 Championship campaign, Matt Worley is afforded some rest and recovery as George Hendy comes in for his first minutes of the new season.
Pat Tapley is also chosen from the off, his first start of the campaign on what is his 125th appearance for the club.
There could soon be someone joining Tapley in the century club here at Goldington Road as Jacob Fields is chosen to start on his 99th Bedford game, one of three changes to the forwards pack.
Severely hampered by a number of injuries in the back five, former Blue Oli Curry returns on loan from Chinnor while Tui Uru’s return eases things slightly this weekend.
Among the replacements, Blues welcome Emeka Atuanya into the #BluesFamily who is in line for his Championship debut tomorrow.
The current injury list is Osman Dimen, Jamie Elliott, Luke Frost, Jordan Onojaife and Alex Woolford.
Bedford Blues would like to thank Chinnor for their support ahead of this fixture.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. George Hendy, 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Jacob Fields, 3. Ed Prowse, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Oli Curry, 6. Geordie Irvine, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jack Hughes, 17. Monty Royston, 18. Corrie Barrett, 19. Emeka Atuanya, 20. Charles Rylands, 21. Jake Garside, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Seán French
